AJK assembly amends criminal law.

Byline: Tariq Naqash

MUZAFFARABAD -- The Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Wednesday unanimously passed an amendment in a criminal law, envisaging capital punishment, life imprisonment, fine or castration to rapists of individuals under 18 years of age including minors.

Expressing his gratitude to the house for enacting AJK Criminal Law (third amendment) Act 2020, Minister for Disaster Management and Civil Defence Ahmed Raza Qadri said that the legislation would help the state, effectively control the vice of sexual abuse of children.

Before his appointment as minister, Mr Qadri had moved this bill as a private member. However, realising the gravity of the matter Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider decided to own and officially introduce the law, following which it was placed before the cabinet by the law department where it was approved for enactment.

'Unfortunately, incidents of sexual abuse of children were being frequently reported mainly because of mild punishment to the perpetrators of this heinous crime which had necessitated introducing a law envisaging strict punishment. I am quite sure this law will compensate for the previous deficiency.

'The amended law...